Good news: The Second Coming has Arrived!!

Posted by Greg Laden on February 9, 2008
(5)
More »

Bad News: It’s a Big Lizard!!

According to a report noted in Evolving in Kansas, Komodo Dragons have been hatched in Sedgwick County without fertilization by a male.

There are two of them, both males. (Isn’t that interesting?) …

I think they should name them Jesus and Brian.

(5)
More »

Comments

  1. #1 Brian
    February 9, 2008

    I thought that parthenogenesis always produced female offspring because the they would have inherited both x chromosomes from the mother.

  2. #2 Erp
    February 9, 2008

    Not all animals use the mammalian XX (female) XY (male) or the birds ZZ (male) and ZW (female)) to distinguish the sexes. I believe some reptiles use incubation temperature though others use chromosomes.

    See
    http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7178/full/451527a.html
    for some info

    Note that in bees fertilized eggs become females (either queens or workers depending on diet) while unfertilized eggs become males (drones).

  3. #3 Gene Goldring
    February 9, 2008

    Biblical based exemptionalism sure is taking a beating.

  4. #4 Greg Laden
    February 9, 2008

    Reptiles’ sex determination is based on the temperature of incubation of the egg.

  5. #5 Brian
    February 9, 2008

    Interesting! Now that you say it, it seems like I’ve heard that somewhere before.

    I guess it would be possible for the zoo to determine the results by changing the temperature.